Memphis Grizzlies All-Star Ja Morant wins NBA's Most Improved Player Award

Ja Morant was named the 2021-22 NBA Most Improved Player.

Morant is the first Memphis Grizzlies player to win the award. He's also the first player in NBA history to win Rookie of the Year and Most Improved.

Morant went from 19.1 points in 2020-21 to 27.4 points this season while leading the Grizzlies to the second best record in the NBA.

Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins made the announcement Monday at practice, and teammates clapped and celebrated Morant's achievement.

"It's a big time achievement and honor to qualify and win this award," Morant said.

"Although I felt like I had very solid seasons before this year, I can agree on taking a bigger leap in my points per game average, winning percentage and obviously winning basketball games was another area we took a big time leap in. Although this award goes to me, I feel like it's a team effort."

San Antonio Spurs point guard Dejounte Murray and Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Darius Garland were the other finalists. Morant received 38 first place votes, Murray 20 and Garland 11. Golden State guard Jordan Poole finished fourth and also received 15 first place votes.

Morant lobbied most of the season for his teammate, Desmond Bane, to win the Most Improved Player award various times. Bane finished fifth and received seven first place votes. Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Grizzlies finished 10th and received a second place vote.

"We all push each other," Morant said. "We all want to be better. We all have have that never satisfied mindset, and that's why you see three guys from the same team receiving votes for this award."

Contact Damichael Cole at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com and on Twitter @damichaelc

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Ja Morant Most Improved Player: Memphis Grizzlies All-Star wins award